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Topic: HAME MPR-A1 - Small and cheap router with built-in battery

The content of this topic has been archived between 12 May 2015 and 2 May 2018. Unfortunately there are posts – most likely complete pages – missing.

@valentt,

Sorry, I hadn't realized there was an email address I could send the Hame A5 file to.  Sent now.  There's not much in my build except support for usb/serial.

Thanks! I'll try it out soon.

Re Hame A5

I flashed a second one yesterday with the file I sent to valentt.  I didn't solder on serial, I just used spring test clips (Mini Grabber Test Probes) on the serial pads--Left is TX, Middle is RX, Right is 0V (rightmost three pads (of 4) with the pads to the bottom right).

As with some other of these Ralink devices (Poray M3, for example), the A5 doesn't boot with the serial connected.  Disconnect it and it boots fine and can be accessed with telnet through the ethernet cable at 192.168.1.1 as usual.

lizby wrote:

Re Hame A5

I flashed a second one yesterday with the file I sent to valentt.  I didn't solder on serial, I just used spring test clips (Mini Grabber Test Probes) on the serial pads--Left is TX, Middle is RX, Right is 0V (rightmost three pads (of 4) with the pads to the bottom right).

As with some other of these Ralink devices (Poray M3, for example), the A5 doesn't boot with the serial connected.  Disconnect it and it boots fine and can be accessed with telnet through the ethernet cable at 192.168.1.1 as usual.

Maybe, it is because of the noise on the serial cable, oscillator can't start up. For me, I test the Hame MPR A1 with PL2303 and FTDI serial cable. The pl2303 can't communicate with MPR-A1, but the FTDI chip works fine.

gaplee wrote:
lizby wrote:

Re Hame A5

I flashed a second one yesterday with the file I sent to valentt.  I didn't solder on serial, I just used spring test clips (Mini Grabber Test Probes) on the serial pads--Left is TX, Middle is RX, Right is 0V (rightmost three pads (of 4) with the pads to the bottom right).

As with some other of these Ralink devices (Poray M3, for example), the A5 doesn't boot with the serial connected.  Disconnect it and it boots fine and can be accessed with telnet through the ethernet cable at 192.168.1.1 as usual.

Maybe, it is because of the noise on the serial cable, oscillator can't start up. For me, I test the Hame MPR A1 with PL2303 and FTDI serial cable. The pl2303 can't communicate with MPR-A1, but the FTDI chip works fine.

CH341 also works fine

lizby wrote:

I flashed a second one yesterday with the file I sent to valentt.  I didn't solder on serial, I just used spring test clips (Mini Grabber Test Probes) on the serial pads--Left is TX, Middle is RX, Right is 0V (rightmost three pads (of 4) with the pads to the bottom right).

it is enough to add Squonk42 patch to compile firmware for Hame A5  or i need to do something more.
please send your firmware to me too. and if possible image of the PCB where are TX,  RX,  0V  are marked.

(Last edited by derrij on 26 Apr 2013, 15:26)

pl2303 usb/serial worked for me for gaining access to flash, but the Hame A5 would not boot to openWrt with the serial connected.  It booted fine without it (after flashing).

My build had the kernel command line modification for 16M--otherwise Squonk's three patches as of early February.  I don't know what patches would be required with trunk at present.

Valentt said he wanted to put my build file on his dropbox account.  My build may be of limited utility, since it has almost nothing enabled except usb serial.  There appears not to be enough ram for sysupgrade to run, so any reflashing for additional features would need serial console anyway.

lizby wrote:

My build had the kernel command line modification for 16M--otherwise Squonk's three patches as of early February.  I don't know what patches would be required with trunk at present.

as i understand, i need to apply Squonk's patch and make kernel command line modification for 16M.
how to make kernel command line modification for 16M?

@derrij just try this way.

 make kernel_menuconfig 

find kernel hacking , enter and then find(rootfstype=squashfs,jffs2) Default kernel command string
enter again and manually set SDRAM value rootfstype=squashfs,jffs2 mem=16M

(Last edited by gaplee on 27 Apr 2013, 10:05)

xopal wrote:

@p1vo

With your resistor modification for 32MB memory configuration, is it still need kernel patches/config to mem=32 ? or no.


no.  there is no need. Its a proper Mod.

(Last edited by p1vo on 30 Apr 2013, 14:20)

p1vo wrote:
xopal wrote:

@p1vo

With your resistor modification for 32MB memory configuration, is it still need kernel patches/config to mem=32 ? or no.


no.  there is no need.

@p1vo

Thanks , finally my Hame got LuCI after all.

http://i39.tinypic.com/10d7iuu.png

@p1vo,

I've sent you a PM regarding your postings - if you're reading, can you reply?  Thanks!

Re: Hame A2

Hi
Here is my patch to compile OpenWrt new trunk (with Device Tree) for Hame MPR-A2 router:

https://github.com/shmygov/OpenWrt-HAME-MPR-A2

It is based on the Squonk's patches.
(Hame A2 is same as A1, but with 8MB flash, 32MB RAM, and 5200 mAh battery.)

It is working OK on my A2 which is a genuine Hame from the manufacturer (not a clone).
However, there are still some problems with WiFi driver: low data rates, unstable operation if the AP is used without wifi password set.

http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/hame/mpr-a2

Hello all,

I would like to try (my 1st time) to perform a ram upgrade - will the type of ram
used for wr703n upgrades be compatible with Hame MPR-A1 ?

Thanks in advance,
Marek

You need a 256Mbit (32MB) SDRAM (not DDR) chip in a 54 pin TSSOP package.  The device can also take 64MB chips, but only 32MB will be used.

The cheapest place to get this memory is from old laptop memory cards.  Search for 256MB PC133 SODIMM on ebay, and find one that uses 8 leaded chips.  Next, check to make sure the seller is not using a "stock image" so you are really getting a module with 8x leaded chips.  Any question, just ask them.  A lot of sellers are using incorrect images but will admit it.

I bought my (64MB) chips on a 512MB PC133 SODIMM from mem-store on ebay for $15.  I used a heat gun to heat up the module.  The chips just fell right off and were ready to solder on with no cleanup.

When removing the old DRAM from the board, I highly recommend Chipquik.  It's not cheap, but using a heat gun on the HAME has a great risk of melting the switches and dislodging the tiny components.  I removed the old IC with chipquik, then cleaned the pads with solder wick and soldered a new chip on. 

With a little flux, it's easy to solder the tiny leads without bridging them.  Line up the chip in it's proper position and hold it with your finger.  Solder one corner pin.  Double check alignment while you can still move it around, then solder the opposite corner and continue to solder all pins.

Good luck.



n1x0nuk wrote:

Hello all,

I would like to try (my 1st time) to perform a ram upgrade - will the type of ram
used for wr703n upgrades be compatible with Hame MPR-A1 ?

Thanks in advance,
Marek

(Last edited by oschemes on 18 May 2013, 02:28)

wr703n uses TSOP 66 package
http://i44.tinypic.com/21og09.jpg

the 2 ram on lower right are both TSOP 54 pak (micron 32MB and ESMT 16MB), used to upgrade my HLK module.
http://i43.tinypic.com/33eu9ud.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/b3mo9l.jpg

thanks to gaplee, for his work and help.
now my hlk module runs hame openwrt with luci.

@oschemes,
thanks for the tip about chipquik, the video looks really simple to use.
i used hot air to pull out TSOP 66 and TSOP 54. it almost damage the pads.
i'll surely try chipquik. smile

@n1x0nuk
i still dont know where to buy TSOP 66 ram.
if you find one, pls. tell us.
i like to try to upgrade my wr702. big_smile big_smile big_smile

@elaber
Congratulations. Nice work, and nice picture.
My hlk-rm04 module select the external antenna by default, i do not realize that for a long time,  and find it until not long ago. How about yours, do you notice that.

Power of RT5350 is unpowered, only 100mW. WR703N is about 500mW.

(Last edited by gaplee on 18 May 2013, 06:24)

@oschemes - thanks a lot for a detailed description, much appreciated.
I must admit I already melted the battery indicator switch while trying
to unsolder the memory smile Ordered PC133 256 (32MB modules) for hame mpr-1 upgrade.

@elaber - While I know it's not a best deal in the world, there are offers on ebay
that sell 1x64MB ram chip + 8MB flash for ~$10 , not ideal but I've just ordered one
as I can't find any matching memory for 703n (fingers crossed for using raspberrypi
as STI flash programmer)


regards,
Marek

I would like to use my Samsung (xcover) like 3g modem and connect it to the HAME. Is that possible?

With stock firmware I've got this
# lsusb
0000:0000 (bus 2, device 1)
04e8:684e (bus 1, device 2)
0000:0000 (bus 1, device 1)

but admin panel tells me there is no 3g module.

Tnx for any hints.

Driver for switch with features: led polarity control (via swconfig or from DTS directive ralink,led-polarity in esw section), bc-storm protect and transmit good/bad packet counter. I will try to add QoS and IGMP forward. Link

(Last edited by xakep666 on 21 May 2013, 12:25)

is mine hame a5 only 8Mb of  RAM?
boot log http://pastebin.com/sY0x5GUf
no way openwrt install on my A5?

@derrij--Hame A5 works with openWrt after patches are applied and kernel command line modified for 16M
(The following is from someone's post earlier in this thread)

kernel command line modification for 16M:
make menuconfig to set ralink architecture
add "mem=16M" command-line option for the kernel to see all 16Mb since the bootloader tells it there's only 8Mb.

To do so you need to do "make kernel_menuconfig" in the OpenWRT dir, enter "Kernel hacking" and add "mem=16M" into "Default kernel command string". Then do make.

how to flash A5?
how to interrupt the booting to get a U-Boot-console. tpl or how?

Many thx shmygo ! Your patch works great also on A5 !

I've replaced the RAM with 32MByte, shortened a missing resistor near to the left bottom edge of the rt5350 and changed in the dts file the flash type accordingly getting:

U-Boot 1.1.8 (Dec  6 2012 - 11:55:27)

Board: Ralink APSoC DRAM:  32 MB
relocate_code Pointer at: 81fb0000
******************************
Software System Reset Occurred
******************************
spi_wait_nsec: 42 
spi device id: 7f 9d 46 7f 9d (9d467f9d)
Warning: un-recognized chip ID, please update bootloader!
raspi_read: from:30000 len:1000 
.raspi_read: from:30000 len:1000 
.============================================ 
Ralink UBoot Version: 3.6.0.0
-------------------------------------------- 
ASIC 5350_MP (Port5<->None)
DRAM_CONF_FROM: Boot-Strapping 
DRAM_TYPE: SDRAM 
DRAM_SIZE: 256 Mbits
DRAM_WIDTH: 16 bits
DRAM_TOTAL_WIDTH: 16 bits
TOTAL_MEMORY_SIZE: 32 MBytes
Flash component: SPI Flash
Date:Dec  6 2012  Time:11:55:27
============================================ 
icache: sets:256, ways:4, linesz:32 ,total:32768
dcache: sets:128, ways:4, linesz:32 ,total:16384
...
[    0.000000] Linux version 3.8.12 (gerd@nizza) (gcc version 4.6.4 (OpenWrt/Linaro GCC 4.6-2012.12 r36655) ) #13 Tue May 21 00:04:52 CEST 2013
[    0.000000] SoC Type: Ralink RT5350 id:1 rev:3
[    0.000000] bootconsole [early0] enabled
[    0.000000] CPU revision is: 0001964c (MIPS 24KEc)
[    0.000000] MIPS: machine is HAME MPR-A2
[    0.000000] Determined physical RAM map:
[    0.000000]  memory: 02000000 @ 00000000 (usable)
[    0.000000] Initrd not found or empty - disabling initrd
[    0.000000] Zone ranges:
[    0.000000]   Normal   [mem 0x00000000-0x01ffffff]
[    0.000000] Movable zone start for each node
[    0.000000] Early memory node ranges
[    0.000000]   node   0: [mem 0x00000000-0x01ffffff]
[    0.000000] Primary instruction cache 32kB, VIPT, 4-way, linesize 32 bytes.
[    0.000000] Primary data cache 16kB, 4-way, VIPT, no aliases, linesize 32 bytes
[    0.000000] Built 1 zonelists in Zone order, mobility grouping on.  Total pages: 8128
[    0.000000] Kernel command line: console=ttyS0,57600 rootfstype=squashfs,jffs2
...
[    0.430000] m25p80 spi0.0: pm25lq032 (4096 Kbytes)
[    0.440000] 4 ofpart partitions found on MTD device spi0.0
...
root@Hame-A5:/# free
             total         used         free       shared      buffers
Mem:         29656        12532        17124            0         1368
-/+ buffers:              11164        18492
Swap:            0            0            0

The startup prints HAME-MPR-A2, but this is only cosmetic.

I have flashed the sysupgrade image using following sequence on boot (type 4 to stop boot to get into cli):

setenv ipaddr 192.168.0.199                                                            
setenv serverip 192.168.0.9                                                            
setenv bootfile openwrt-ramips-rt305x-mpr-a2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
tftpboot
erase linux
cp.linux
reset

Only one thing left - I get lots of following message

root@Hame-A5:/# logread | tail -2
May 21 21:43:59 Hame-A5 daemon.info init: process '/bin/ash --login' (pid 3375) exited. Scheduling for restart.
May 21 21:43:59 Hame-A5 daemon.info init: starting pid 3380, tty '/dev/ttyS1': '/bin/ash --login'

Does anybody know how to get rid off this ?

(Last edited by bertc3p0 on 21 May 2013, 23:05)

@derrij--I have two Hame A5s flashed with openWrt--trunk, self-compiled to get the patches included. 

You enter the flash command from serial, and the image is downloaded via lan cable.  For the first one, I soldered on the serial connections.  For the second, I used mini grabber test hooks:  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Random-10-Single … 1e7a37b1e3

For the serial connection, I used a pl2303 usb/serial dongle from a Windows 7 PC, with putty.  I'm using tftpd64 for my tftp server.

On the A5 board, with the 4 pads down and to the right, rightmost is 0V, next is RX (to tx on my pl2303 adaptor), third is TX.

(Last edited by lizby on 22 May 2013, 12:52)